Otuihau Whangarei Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Whangarei and for good reason, they are spectacular! As a regular visitor to Northland, these waterfalls are a place I frequent often and I take great pleasure in sharing it with family and friends. But did you know that Whangarei has five more spectacular waterfalls worth visiting? If you were keen you could see them all in one day as they are all reasonably easy to access. It would be a fantastic way to spend time in Whangarei. A lovely summer day might inspire you to chase waterfalls but waterfalls are at there best after there has been plenty of rain. You won’t get a more dramatic and magnificent waterfall than one with plenty of water!
OTUIHAU WHANGAREI FALLS
Falling more than 26 meters over basalt cliffs the Otuihau Whangarei Falls can be seen from three platforms above the waterfall, which provides incredible views from each angle. On a hot summer day, it is a great place to picnic, rest, and relax. There are two impressive loops walks to enjoy with the short 30-minute option being the most popular. The falls are easy to find on the edge of the city as you head to Ngunguru and Tutukata. Otuihau Whangarei Falls may have once been a tapu (sacred) site with the pools below used for washing the wounded and dead, therefore recognised as an area of healing. It was also a popular eeling spot for local Māori. At the turn of the century, it became a picnic spot frequented by many. In the late 1920s, Mr Clapham (see Claphams Clocks) bought the property, to apparently stop it being developed into a commercial watermill. A local businessmen’s association raised the purchase price by public subscription in 1946 and the property became a public domain in 1958. Today it is visited and enjoyed by thousands of people every year.
OTUIHAU WHANGAREI FALLS WALKS
CLICK HERE FOR A MAP OF BOTH LOOP TRACKS
OTUIHAU WHANGAREI FALLS LOOP
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 1 km
The main car park is at the top of the falls and this is the best place to start. Venture to the nearest viewing platform for your first glimpse of the falls. From there you can cross the river above the falls before you continue along the track to the next viewing spot. The track then continues down a path and stairs to the base of the falls. Here you will find another viewing area with scenic picnic spots. From the base of the falls, it is a short walk back up the hill to the car park. This is a relatively easy walk for most people Unfortunately, the loop track is not wheelchair or pram friendly but most little legs could manage it.
SANDS ROAD LOOP
Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 4.8 km
The Sands Road Loop is best started from the main car park but can also begin from either of the two car parks at the AH Reed Memorial Park. Park at the Otuihau Whangārei Falls then walk along Ngunguru Road a short distance before turning right onto Sands Road. Follow Sands Road which will join up to Clapham Road and into the AH Reed Memorial Park. This park is home to a number of treasures including giant kauri trees and the Paranui Falls. Plan to spend a bit of time in this park as it is a great place to explore. From the AH Reed Memorial Park you continue on to the Hatea River Walkway which leads all the way back to Otuihau Whangarei Falls and the car park where you started. This really is a fantastic loop walk that includes a number of natures wonders.
WHANGAREI FALLS TO TOWN BASIN
Time: 2 hours
Distance: 6 km
This is a fantastic one-way walk that can be done in either direction. From Otuihau Whangarei Falls you will head to the AH Reed Memorial Park following either track from the Sands Road Loop. I believe the Hatea River from the base of the falls is the more scenic route. You will need to make your way to the lower car park in the AH Reed Memorial Park which you will find on Whareora Road. Follow Whareora Road until you meet the track just before the river and follow on this side of the river to Mair Park. From Mair Park you can continue along the the river to Town Basin. If you are looking for a challenge with a view then take one of two tracks to the summit of Mount Parihaka. These are Drummond and Dobbie Tracks. From the top of Parihaka you can then take the Ross Track which meets the end of Dundas Road and leads into the Town Basin. Including Parihaka will add another hour and a half to this walk.
MORE ABOUT OTUIHAU WHANGAREI FALLS
LOCATION
Whangarei Falls is 6km, or 10-minutes’ drive from the city center. The main car park to the waterfall is on Boundary Road. Whangarei is 2.5-hours’ from Auckland City.
FACILITIES
The area is very well maintained with toilets in the main car park. There is a bus stop and a dairy nearby with a petrol station and more shops less than 1km away.
ACCOMMODATION
Freedom Camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is allowed in the main car park. Right next to the falls is the Whangarei Falls Holiday Park. They offer affordable accommodation to families, campers, and backpackers. This includes a YHA hostel.
THE OTHER WONDERFUL WATERFALLS IN WHANGAREI
Raumanga Falls: 3.3 kms or 6 minutes drive. 5-minute walk including stairs.
There are two entry points to these waterfalls from Raumanga Valley Road and both are a good option. The top entry is a short walk with stairs down to rocks at the top of the falls. This is the best viewing location. The lower entry is not much longer with a lovely walk 10-minutes through the park before a short climb up through native forest to the falls. This waterfall is the smallest of the six at only 15 meters but a very popular spot as it is right in the city and there are a number of natural pools for swimming.
Paranui Falls: 5kms or 7 minutes drive from Whangarei. 5-minute walk including stairs.
These falls are found in the AH Reed Memorial Park as mentioned on the Sands Loop walk. These waterfalls are nearly as high as Otuihau Whangarei Falls but not so wide. There are two car parks at the AH Reed Memorial and the upper one on Whareora Road is the closest one to the falls but it is much smaller. There are a number of stairs and a steep short climb just before the viewing platform. It is definitely worth taking the time to explore all of the AH Reed Memorial Park including the canopy walk and the giant kauri trees.
Taheke Falls: 13kms or 17 minutes drive from Whangarei. 20-minute walk including stairs.
The first 10 minutes of this walk is getting from the car park to the beginning of the Taheke Waterfall Track. From the start of the track, it is only another 10 minutes to the viewing platform at the top of the waterfall which is a short detour from the main track. The main track continues on to a loop that meanders through regenerating kauri forest. It is a 3km or one-hour return trip and well worth the extra time.
Wairua Falls – Omiru: 26kms or 25 minutes drive. No walking necessary.
Although they are not the highest these are the widest waterfalls of all six which make them the most impressive after heavy rain. You will get quite a different experience if you visiter during a dry summer spell. Referred to by Māori as Omiru, the Wairua river was a significant food source and the waterfalls were once used as a major defense point for inter-tribal warfare. The waterfall can be viewed from the car park at the top or you can walk down to the base via the bush track. The bush track is not a purposely made track but a short scramble down rocks which has a number of tracks leading from it to various parts of the river’s edge.
Piroa Falls: 51km or 50 minutes from Whangarei. 5 minute walk including stairs.
These falls are the furthest from the city but definitely worth the drive. From State Highway One, at the bottom of the Brynderwyns, it is a 6km drive on a windy unsealed road. This road is suitable for all vehicles. It is well signposted but the parking area is small and can be very busy in the summertime. The short walk downhill only takes a few minutes before you find yourself in the most idyllic setting. There is a picnic table and several nice spots to sit down and enjoy the falls.
As they are near Waipu you may also like to include a stop at Waipu Village and Waipu Caves. The village is known for its Scottish heritage and offers a great selection of local art, crafts, markets, and cafes. The caves are 13kms from State Highway One but they are right next to the car park. Take a torch and be prepared to get wet feet and make sure you walk as far as you can into the main cave. You will see the most amazing glow worms. You will also find a lovely 4km return walk here.
Want to know more about what to see and do in Whangārei? Check out the official website:
Whangārei District Love it here!
How about exploring more of Northland? Check out the official website:
Northland New Zealand
Other articles that may interest you:
The Best Things to do on Great Barrier Island,
Auckland’s West Coast Beaches,
The Karangahake Gorge, Coromandel
ABOUT THE WRITER – Karllie is a solo budget traveller with a passion for inspiring others to explore her homeland of Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. Having travelled to many places around the world she still believes there is nowhere more amazing and beautiful as home. In her 40s, Karllie has a background in education and enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking. Find out more about Karllie…
